When he leaves, Toru checks the box with Honda's gift and discovers that it's empty. Mamiya swings by to give Toru his small inheritence, and he tells a strange story about war in Manchukuo where he witnessed a man skinned alive by the Kwantung Army. When Lieutenant Mamiya calls to tell him Honda has died, Toru learns that Mr. Kumiko comes home wearing a new perfume, and he suspects it was a gift from an unknown man. Creta reconvenes with Toru at his home later and tells the story of Creta's unfortunate violation-she was raped by Kumiko's brother Noboro. Honda before, a strange old man whose 'psychic' powers were just him endlessly reciting his war stories.Īt a local hotel, Toru meets Malta Kano and her sister Creta. This isn't the first time she has urged him to see a witchdoctor of some sort-there was Mr. Malta Kano is a friend of Kumiko's brother, Noboru, which actually happens to be the cat's name too, in a weird coincidence. Kumiko calls again to recommend that Toru meet with Malta Kano, a clairvoyant psychic, claiming that she can help the couple find their missing cat. Also, Malta Kano calls and requests a meeting with Toru. At the house, he receives calls from a strange woman who seems to be masturbating on the other side of the line.

He falls asleep in a pool chair, wakes up to find the girl missing, and continues back to his house. They enjoy a drink behind an abandoned house. The implication is that she is some sort of vagrant orphan, or perhaps a mysterious visitor. Kumiko, the wife, tells him to check the alley behind the house, so he does, but instead of the cat, Toru finds a mysterious, flirty teenager named Kasahara. Toru Okada tells the reader of his attempt to find the missing house cat for his wife. Haruki Murakami is a surrealist, so this plot is bizarre and sometimes almost random. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

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